A hotly controversial Mankad run-out and two helpings of five penalty runs imposed for separate Level 2 behavioural issues soured Lymington’s drawn ECB Southern Premier Division match against the Hampshire Academy.
At the centre of it was Lymington’s experienced 43-year old all-rounder Darren Cowley, who appeared to be given a fielder ‘send off’ when he dragged a ball on to his stumps during the morning session.
And later in the evening session (38th over) when the Hampshire youngsters were chasing down Lymington’s 237, the former Dorset spin all-rounder ran out Academy prospect Tom South, without warning, when the 17-year old strayed out of his crease at the non-striker’s end.
Play was halted as Academy captain Brad Taylor and Hampshire left-hand legend Jimmy Adams, who was managing the county side, came on to the field to vent their feelings.
But overnight leaders Lymington, who were nudged off top spot by South Wilts by the end of the day’s play, declined to back down and a distraught South trudged back to the pavilion, and with him a realistic chance of an Academy victory.
Under the ECB’s disciplinary code, Level 2 offences carry between a two and eight match ban.
The Southern Premier League will doubtless review all the circumstances once they have received reports from the umpires and heard officially from the two sides.
It was a shame that such a competitive affair should peter out in such an unsavoury manner, the Academy having more than held their own and indeed looked capable of breaching Lymington’s unblemished start to the season when South departed.
Competitive
Lymington twice had to rebuild, having been 105-3 (Ryan Scott 25) and later 148-7 when Henry Edwards (36) and Cowley (29) were back in the pavilion, the latter having struck a six just before he played on to George Pardoe.
Promising Bradfield School spinner Kamran Khanna (5-60) made his presence felt, removing Josh Proctor (43) and Matt Metcalfe (35), whose 60-run partnership ensured Lymington ended with a competitive 237 all out.
Tom Prest (27) and Fletcha Middleton (41) progressed the Academy reply to 75-1, but Lymington kept chipping away and at 129-5 the county fledglings still had plenty to do.
South (38), however, remained a threat – until his controversial departure which, in the writer’s opinion, disrespected the Spirit of Cricket.
There appeared a steely ‘not to lose’ determination in the Academy ranks after that – but, in truth, they might have done better than emerge with a ‘winning draw’.
The emerging Harry Broderick (27), Mo Abbas (28) and some lusty blows from Ben Huntley (27 not out) kept the scoreboard ticking over, the Academy reaching 228-8 at stumps, just nine runs adrift of the Lymington total.
At the centre of it was Lymington’s experienced 43-year old all-rounder Darren Cowley, who appeared to be given a fielder ‘send off’ when he dragged a ball on to his stumps during the morning session.
And later in the evening session (38th over) when the Hampshire youngsters were chasing down Lymington’s 237, the former Dorset spin all-rounder ran out Academy prospect Tom South, without warning, when the 17-year old strayed out of his crease at the non-striker’s end.
Play was halted as Academy captain Brad Taylor and Hampshire left-hand legend Jimmy Adams, who was managing the county side, came on to the field to vent their feelings.
But overnight leaders Lymington, who were nudged off top spot by South Wilts by the end of the day’s play, declined to back down and a distraught South trudged back to the pavilion, and with him a realistic chance of an Academy victory.
Under the ECB’s disciplinary code, Level 2 offences carry between a two and eight match ban.
The Southern Premier League will doubtless review all the circumstances once they have received reports from the umpires and heard officially from the two sides.
It was a shame that such a competitive affair should peter out in such an unsavoury manner, the Academy having more than held their own and indeed looked capable of breaching Lymington’s unblemished start to the season when South departed.
Competitive
Lymington twice had to rebuild, having been 105-3 (Ryan Scott 25) and later 148-7 when Henry Edwards (36) and Cowley (29) were back in the pavilion, the latter having struck a six just before he played on to George Pardoe.
Promising Bradfield School spinner Kamran Khanna (5-60) made his presence felt, removing Josh Proctor (43) and Matt Metcalfe (35), whose 60-run partnership ensured Lymington ended with a competitive 237 all out.
Tom Prest (27) and Fletcha Middleton (41) progressed the Academy reply to 75-1, but Lymington kept chipping away and at 129-5 the county fledglings still had plenty to do.
South (38), however, remained a threat – until his controversial departure which, in the writer’s opinion, disrespected the Spirit of Cricket.
There appeared a steely ‘not to lose’ determination in the Academy ranks after that – but, in truth, they might have done better than emerge with a ‘winning draw’.
The emerging Harry Broderick (27), Mo Abbas (28) and some lusty blows from Ben Huntley (27 not out) kept the scoreboard ticking over, the Academy reaching 228-8 at stumps, just nine runs adrift of the Lymington total.